The Rockefeller Rocks!
On July 13 2012, like thousands of other knitters, I cast on the Westkints Mystery Rockefeller shawl. As the weeks went by, I went through the emotions of hating the design, loving the design, and looking forward with happy anticipation to the next clue. I couldn't imagine what was coming next.
For this project, I chose 2 yarns in my stash that I knew I probably couldn't get more of if I ran out. I trusted Stephen West with his estimated yardages. I love Stephen West! I have met Stephen West and he is my boyfriend. He doesn't know he's my boyfriend, because it is just that big of a secret. But now YOU know. Shhhhh...don't tell anyone.
The yarns I chose were 1. Freckle Face Fibers (sadly, no longer dying yarn) Kimono Sock Yarn in the Tehachapi Moonshadow colorway, and 2. Ceallach Dyes Fingering in the Dusty Pink colorway - which was a custom-dyed colorway for the Yarn Boutique in Lafayette, one of my favorite LYS's. I thought they went well together and I had well over the recommended amounts.
You know what's coming, don't you? Like hundreds of others in this KAL, I ran out of yarn. Both colors. I could tell when I was doing the first striping "wing" that there would not be enough to finish. There was no way to get more of the Ceallach Dyes color, but the Freckle Face Fibers was a custom colorway dyed specifically for the CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in 2011. Our favorite website, Ravelry, to the rescue! I was able to find a fellow retreat atendee that had 2 skeins in her stash and she graciously agreed to trade one for something out of my stash. YAY StephieJo! She is the best.
So, I forged on, just winging it on the 2nd wing (ha ha)- making large colorblocks using the Techacapi Moonshadow. I finished the shawl, tucking in all the ends, soaking it and blocking it. Then I tried it on. Wow. I absolutely adore this shawl. It fits so comfortably over my shoulders and just lies there looking beautiful. I have worn it about 3 times in the last 2 weeks and love it more each time. I normally don't just drape shawls over my shoulders, feeling like it is too much of a "grandma" look...and I can say that, being a grandma. But with the stripes on one side, and the colorblocking on the other, well, I think it is a very cool shawl!
What do you think?
For this project, I chose 2 yarns in my stash that I knew I probably couldn't get more of if I ran out. I trusted Stephen West with his estimated yardages. I love Stephen West! I have met Stephen West and he is my boyfriend. He doesn't know he's my boyfriend, because it is just that big of a secret. But now YOU know. Shhhhh...don't tell anyone.
The yarns I chose were 1. Freckle Face Fibers (sadly, no longer dying yarn) Kimono Sock Yarn in the Tehachapi Moonshadow colorway, and 2. Ceallach Dyes Fingering in the Dusty Pink colorway - which was a custom-dyed colorway for the Yarn Boutique in Lafayette, one of my favorite LYS's. I thought they went well together and I had well over the recommended amounts.
You know what's coming, don't you? Like hundreds of others in this KAL, I ran out of yarn. Both colors. I could tell when I was doing the first striping "wing" that there would not be enough to finish. There was no way to get more of the Ceallach Dyes color, but the Freckle Face Fibers was a custom colorway dyed specifically for the CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in 2011. Our favorite website, Ravelry, to the rescue! I was able to find a fellow retreat atendee that had 2 skeins in her stash and she graciously agreed to trade one for something out of my stash. YAY StephieJo! She is the best.
So, I forged on, just winging it on the 2nd wing (ha ha)- making large colorblocks using the Techacapi Moonshadow. I finished the shawl, tucking in all the ends, soaking it and blocking it. Then I tried it on. Wow. I absolutely adore this shawl. It fits so comfortably over my shoulders and just lies there looking beautiful. I have worn it about 3 times in the last 2 weeks and love it more each time. I normally don't just drape shawls over my shoulders, feeling like it is too much of a "grandma" look...and I can say that, being a grandma. But with the stripes on one side, and the colorblocking on the other, well, I think it is a very cool shawl!
What do you think?
Mom, you left out the part about how even Dad said it was the best thing you've ever knit - that is significant! :-)
ReplyDeletethat looks fantastic! i am so glad to hear you were able to get another skein to finish it--and i LOL'd about "it is just that big of a secret".
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like one knitter helping another out especially when it leads to such a fine finish. Lovely design...you can tell your boyfriend I said so.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a very cool shawl, and it looks great on you, Barb.
ReplyDeleteI love your shawl! You did a great job at "winging it"!! Oh, and I will keep your secret boyfriend information very confidential ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely Barb; I'm inspired to start one for myself. Check out some other great examples on my blog post about this.
ReplyDeleteI saw your latest blog post and admired the pictures on it! I never miss your blog.
DeleteWow, your version rocks!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBarb, yours is the prettiest one I've seen!
ReplyDeleteI know I love it, but thank you for your opinion (obviously in very good taste).
DeleteGreat job with your design and the modifications you implemented to make the pattern turn out so well. I also ran out of yarn, and since necessity is the mother of invention, I had to modify mine as well. I really like how yours turned out. Maybe you should start writing patterns...
ReplyDeleteBarb,
ReplyDeleteI just found out that you blog as well as podcast! Where have I been?!?
The shawl looks fantastic. The asymmetrical look is very modern. Kudos to you on winging it and developing your own style.
I wonder if your BF Stephen will update his pattern with the right yarn requirements ?